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- BIOGRAPHY
Miles was born about 1100, the son of Walter of Gloucester and his wife Bertha. His father was hereditary sheriff of Gloucester from 1104 to his death, when he was succeeded by Miles. Before 29 May 1121 Miles married Sibyl de Neufmarché, daughter of Bernard de Neufmarché, lord of Brecknock, and Nesta (Agnes) FitzOsbern. As an only child, Sibyl brought the lordship of Brecknock to her marriage. They had at least seven children, of whom three daughters would have progeny.
Miles was high in the service of Henry I between 1130 and 1135. He was constable of England and combined the hereditary office of sheriff of Gloucester with that of local justiciar for Gloucestershire.
After the death of King Henry he declared for Stephen, at whose court he appears as constable in 1136. King Stephen granted him the Honour of Gloucester and Brecknock. However in 1139, when Empress Matilda appeared in England, Miles declared for her and placed the city of Gloucester at her disposal; he was further recorded as sacking the nearby royalist city of Worcester, attacking Stephen's siege works at Wallingford Castle and reducing the county of Hereford. He was retained at Matilda's constable.
In 1141 he was rewarded with the earldom of Hereford when Matilda ruled the country. He remained loyal to the empress after her defeat at Winchester the same year. Miles died on 24 December 1143, and was buried at Llanthony Priory in Gloucester.
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